Art With Heart; Raising Money for Cherie

Indian Paintbrush #1 and #2 purchased by Andrew for Cherie

If you are new to this blog you must know that since last September I've been trying to help out a friend who was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a car accident. See her stories here.

Recently I received photos and a couple of emails from a VERY generous man who purchased two Indian Paintbrush paintings from me when I offered them for sale with all of the profits going to Cherie and her family.

Andrew has had hard times in his life when he was down on his luck and did not know where he was going to get money to pay his rent. He lost his job and at times lived day-to-day. Andrew's mother raised him with an appreciation for art and music that he never forgot, even in hard times.

I am a fan of the band Cake and through their newsletter I found out that they were coming to Orlando. I went online to purchase my tickets and out in the right hand column, I clicked "like" and left a comment that I was a big fan. Andrew is also a big fan of Cake, and he does not live in Orlando, he lives all the way on the other side of the country in CA! He saw my comment in the side bar and decided to follow my art links. Andrew found my blog, saw my Cherie story and was touched, he wanted to help. Just at the time Andrew landed on my blog, I had put a wildflower collage up for sale for Cherie. The original collage sold to the trauma nurse at the hospital who cared for Cherie for over a month. I told Andrew that I would offer a second piece for the same reduced price, with 100% of the money also going to Cherie.

Wildflowers #2 Purchased for Cherie by Crista

Andrew and I communicated back and forth and ultimately he picked TWO pieces he wanted to purchase, Indian Paintbrush #1 and #2. This was a BIG deal for Andrew because it was a LOT of money to spend in one fell swoop, especially for someone who had experienced money troubles and knew how easy it was to loose your job in today's economy. This was also a BIG deal for Cherie and her family, as Andrew purchased two paintings and Crista had already purchased the first one. And it was a big deal for me because I was using my art sales for my very best childhood friend.

Andrew emailed me with some of the most kind words about my art that I have ever received and I wanted to share them with you.

OMG, amazing.  I love the art so much that words can't articulate.  It is what art is - something that you sense and feel and experience.  And I love it.  I am so, so glad I followed my instincts and got over my fears (which I told you about) and went for it.  When I take in art that speaks to me, I can feel it in my gut and my heart and my head and my eyes.  And I am experiencing all of that now.  Art is such a trip that way with me...

I said I can't explain but I'm trying but certainly failing anyway.  So perhaps I should express gratitude.  Thank you for being you and being so nice and patient and generous.  Artists such as yourself, or CAKE or whoever make this world a much better place.

Sincerely,

Andrew

Ultimately Andrew shared one of the paintings with his mother, since she was the one who taught him his appreciation of art and music. He was hesitant to tell me that he had split up the set, but I think giving one to his Mom was really very appropriate.

Indian Paintbrush #1 at Andrew's Mom's house

Indian Paintbrush #2 from Andrews perspective!

"I love it there as it is the last thing see at night and the first thing I see in the morning.  I love it at least as much, maybe even more, than when I opened the box."

I'm teaching a workshop this weekend in Atlanta and if I have said it once to my students, I have said it 10 times, the generosity of others never ceases to amaze me. I have been graciously given art supplies, papers, postage stamp collections, old style Starbucks bags, hand painted papers, and cancelled envelopes all the way from Greece to name a few. Artists even donated their work to Art With Heart my fundraising book for Cherie.

Most recently a friend from our hometown has offered to donate proceeds from a wonderful product he invented, to Cherie's charitable trust. Traveler-ER's PERFECT card is something that everyone and anyone can use to store their medical records and emergency contacts on a tiny USB drive, right in their wallet. Please check it out and remember to use the promo code that gives you free shipping and handling, and makes sure that the money goes to Cherie.

Cherie and I on her birthday

Thanks to EVERYONE who has helped me support Cherie. I have to tell you that just last week her sister in law told me that she has some NEW MOVEMENT in her forearms, we are very excited about the possibilities of this.

Cherie's Progress

Cherie in her room at Shepherd Center in December

It's been a while since I noted Cherie's progress and I wanted to let you all know that her time at the Shepherd Center for Spinal Cord Rehabilitation in Atlanta has been extended! Her original discharge date was January 13, but they have given her another week, now she will discharge on January 19 and hopefully continue to receive outpatient services after that, until the end of the month.

Since Cherie has no health insurance and the rehab is being paid by Medicaid, we are all very happy and thankful for this extra time she has to perfect her skills with adaptive equipment. When I was there she told me that she was learning to operate the computer completely by voice, with Dragon software. She was also learning to control her electric wheelchair with "sip and puff" technology. Basically, since she is paralyzed from the shoulders down, all adaptive equipment utilizes "sip and puff" which is basically using a tube positioned near her mouth at all times, to blow or inhale, as a controller for highly specialized equipment.

Cherie maintains a positive attitude, she has made friends with another patient across the hall from her and now has someone to talk to and share down-time with. Her sister told me that they all enjoyed Christmas dinner in Cherie's room. It snowed in Atlanta this Christmas, I think it was the first time it did that in about 100 years! Maybe this is a sign of very special things to come for Cherie.

I wanted also to report that my fundraising book Art with Heart has raised over $500 to date for Cherie's family, which they are utilizing to convert her sister's home to accommodate Cherie, building ramps and widening doorways. The biggest expense they face is a customized van, the expense of this is overwhelming.

visit www.cheriestannard.com